As they walked out of the elevator's exit, Gorein felt truly happy. They saw the tall buildings surrounding them and the other bugs simply walking around, living their lives, the city was bustling. As they walked through the town, they saw the shops, and the fountain, it was so beautiful to them.
It was amazing, really, just how fast things could go south. There had been a royal order given to all guards. All escaped vessels were to be killed. Gorein learned of this when they were suddenly struck from behind by the massive nail of an upper-crust guard. The hit caused a loud ringing to reverberate in their mask.
Gorein rushed away, narrowly avoiding the attacks of other patrols who spotted them. They reached the king's station, quickly finding the stagway. They 'spoke' to the stag, unknowing of its job. They didn't know any language, lucky for them, the stag knew of the vessels, and their inability to speak. "Hello." The tall bug said, its stance light as it gazed down at Gorein, "Are you new to the stagways?" They nodded in reply, silently observing the large quadrapedal bug. "These stagways are a way for the bugs of Hallownest to navigate more easily, however, I'm afraid I can't give you a ride." Gorein had a feeling it new what was happening, it motioned in a way that suggested the horns of the pale king. "Yes, he declared that all vessels may not ride the stagways, although there is a hidden place near here I could lead you to." They perked up, jumping off the small ledge they stood on toward the stag.
The large bug led Gorein to a small hole. "Through here is a path to a relatively lawless land at the edge of the kingdom, here, you should be safe for a time, if you can defeat those who would seek to attack you." Gorein walked through the hole, seeing the kingdoms edge.
